NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-13-2025 11AM EST

Episode Date: December 13, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Flood waters are starting to recede across parts of Washington State after days of record rainfall. The governor says no one has died, but damage is widespread, including to the state's crucial farming industry. Anna King from Northwest Public Broadcasting reports. It's estimated more than 1,000 acres of blueberries and raspberries are underwater in Skagit and Watcomb counties. Some plants might die. Others might be uprooted by floodwaters. And then there's the drip tape. Most blueberries are irrigated with drip tape or tube. When submerged in floodwaters loaded with sediments, they can get clogged or ruined. That could cost thousands of dollars per acre to replace or fix, Barry experts say. Dairy cattle too are having a tough time. Many have been moved to higher ground and the only feed mill in Watcomb County for dairy. is flooded out. For NPR news, I'm Anna King. The Senate rejected two competing health care bills this week, a move that could push health care premiums higher for more than 20 million Americans early

next year. NPR's Don Gagne reports the setback adds to a growing list of challenges for President Trump, who's facing pushback from his own party. The Affordable Care Act has always been a place where Democrats and Republicans butt heads. But this current fight over whether to extend existing subsidies gets to the core of these differences. So Republicans would rather have health savings accounts or give money directly to individuals to use on the health care of their choice. And we're just at an impasse. That's NPR's Don Gagne reporting.

Democrats proposed extending Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three more years. Republicans pushed a plan that would have allowed that funding to expire while expanding health care savings accounts and reshaping the insurance marketplaces. A group of 20 states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's plan to dramatically hike visa fees for foreign workers. NPR's Matt Bloom reports on this latest legal challenge against the policy. The new lawsuit was filed by a group of state attorneys general led by California's Rob Bonta. The suit filed in federal court in Boston seeks to, to block President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas.

Trump announced the policy this fall, raising the fee from just a few thousand dollars per worker. In their suit, the attorneys general argue that the price hike violates federal law. The new suit is at least the third to challenge the policy, which Trump says is meant to protect American workers. Similar challenges from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. unions and employers are also pending. Matt Bloom and PR News.

This is NPR News in Washington. Ukraine is without power in parts of the country after new Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure. Officials say attacks hit at least five regions, including the port city of Odessa. Kiv accuses Moscow of trying to cripple the power grid as U.S.-led peace talks continue. As fighting continues in Sudan, the United Nations World Food Program says it will be forced to cut food rations for people. already facing famine. Michael Koloki has more from Nairobi. According to the World Food Program, the reduction in food rations due to commence next year is as a result of severe funding shortages. The United Nations recently issued an appeal for funds,

noting that $2.9 billion is required to provide the lifesaving aid to 20 million people in Sudan. Fighting between the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, and the Sudanese Armed Forces has been going on for more than two years now. Last month, famine was declared in two cities in the country's Darfur region, following an 18-month siege by the RSF of Al-Fashar and Kadugli. The UN warns that the conflict in Sudan has created the world's largest displacement crisis. For NPR News, I'm Michael Koloki in Nairobi. American skier, Lindsay Vaughn, is extending her comeback on the World Cup circuit.

Just a day after making history, the 41-year-old finished second in a downhill race in Switzerland. Vaughn returned to competition last season after knee surgery. Downhill is considered the fastest and most dangerous event in alpine skiing. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.